«« Mini-Rewind ««

• AC/DC released their 7th studio album “Back in Black” July 25, 1980. The album mega hits including Hells Bells”, “Back in Black” and “You Shook Me All Night Long”. It was the first to feature Brian Johnson as lead singer.

• Comedian/actor turned pop star Eddie Murphy released his album “How Could it Be” on July 20, 1985. The album featured his most noteworthy single “Party All The Time”. Like his movies & stand-up act, it proved to be a success, hitting #2 on the U.S. charts.

• Rodney Dangerfield, Chevy Chase and Bill Murray in a single movie? Yep, we were gifted an iconic ‘80s movie with Caddyshack, released in theaters July 25, 1980. This marked Ted Knight’s final film role. The movie is often described as one of the funniest sports movie ever made.

• Mark Harmon knocked it out of the park as a high school gym teacher forced to teach English class during Summer School (1987). The film co-stars Kirstie Alley (Cheers) & Courtney Thorne-Smith (Melrose Place).

• The Cars hit it big again with their single “Drive” that hit airwaves July 23, 1984. The single peaked at #3 in the U.S.

• Years before he dazzled us as Batman, Michael Keaton starred as a laid off auto engineer in Mr. Mom (1983). The comedy grossed $64M against a budget of just $5M. Those numbers would make Bruce Wayne proud!

• Solid Gold aired its final episode on July 23, 1988, marking the end of a pop culture staple. Growing up, it was must-watch TV - a weekly countdown of the top 10 pop hits, often featuring live performances by the artists themselves.

• The most expensive animated film created at the time of it’s release ($44M), “The Black Cauldron” dazzled young audiences July 24, 1985.

We lost a rock legend this week. Only a few weeks after raising more than $200M for Parkinson’s research Ozzy passed away at the age of 76. The "Prince of Darkness," revolutionized rock music as the front man of Black Sabbath, pioneering heavy metal’s dark, powerful sound. His haunting vocals and wild stage persona captivated fans and influenced generations of metal and rock musicians. As a solo artist, Ozzy pushed boundaries with hits like "Crazy Train”, “No More Tears” and “Bark at the Moon” blending chaos and melody. His unapologetic authenticity, controversial antics, and enduring legacy made him a cultural icon and cemented his status as a music legend.

The fall of 1986 marked one of the most unforgettable times of my childhood - the release of the Nintendo Entertainment System in the U.S. I didn’t get my hands on one of those gray cubes of pure bliss until Santa delivered it that Christmas, but once it was unwrapped, game on! Super Mario Bros. quickly became my obsession - I played it from the moment I woke up until my mom pulled me away for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other favorites soon followed: Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!, Contra, and RBI Baseball were staples of my early gaming life.

The NeverEnding Story (1984) follows a boy named Bastian who discovers a magical book that transports him into the fantasy world of Fantasia. As he reads, he becomes part of the story, helping a young warrior, Atreyu, save the realm from a dark force called The Nothing, blending imagination with adventure. This was one of my favorite movies growing up. Remember this gut-wrenching scene as a kid???

🎧 Retro Picks of the Week

📺 T.V. Show: This past week we suffered another loss with the passing of Malcolm-Jamal Warner. One of my favorite episodes from The Cosby Show featured Theo (Warner) looking to impress a girl on a date with his new designer Gordon Gartrell shirt.

📼 Movie: Lewis Skolnick and his band of “nerds” enrolled at Adams College on July 20, 1984. The comedy was led by Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards and Ted McGinley. Lambda, Lambda, Lambda anyone?

🎵 Song: “Welcome to the Jungle” - Guns n’ Roses (1987). One of my favorite songs from their debut album “Appetite for Destruction”. The single rose all the way to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

🕹️ Video Game: Excitebike (1984), one of my favorite video games as a kid for my NES. Ripping dirt bikes over those pointed hills was nothing short of amazing - I can still hear the sounds as you race along side to side.

👾 Cartoon: SilverHawks, the futuristic animated series ran for 65 total episodes after debuting in 1986. The series takes place in outer space, in the Galaxy of Limbo - where evidently the air is breathable. Combining sci-fi action with superhero elements, it became a cult favorite of the '80s.